Nov. 24, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF women's basketball team will head out early Tuesday morning and board a flight en route to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Knights will participate in the Paradise Jam, hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands and Basketball Traverlers, Inc., and play consecutive games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons.
In the opener Thursday at 3:30 p.m. eastern time, UCF (1-2) will be tested as head coach Joi Williams' team squares off with sixth-ranked Baylor (4-0). From there the Knights hit the hardwood against Wisconsin (2-1) Friday at 1 p.m. and Villanova (2-1) Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
"We are going to strap our seatbelts on and go out and compete," said Williams Monday on Coaches Corner with Joi Williams. "These are games that if you are a true competitor you live for. When these kids graduate they will look back and think about playing the number 10 team in the country and getting that experience. I really feel confident that we are going to go to the Virgin Islands and improve, and that is what you want to do."
While it will be basketball first and foremost for UCF during the trip, the Knights will also get a chance to experience the environment and culture in St. Thomas. The itinerary includes a Catamaran and Snorkel Tour, a gondola ride to Paradise Point for the Paradise Jam welcome party and of course, Thanksgiving Dinner Thursday night after the Baylor game.
"They are going to go snorkeling, there will be a banquet for the team up on the mountain and they will have ability to learn about a different environment and culture. These are some things our players may not get to experience ever again," Williams added. "It is part of their education, and I am happy we are getting to take them on this trip. We will also get a chance to get to find out some things about each other on and off the court that we did not already know."
UCF fans unable to join the Knights in the Virgin Islands will have plenty of ways to keep up with the team on the trip through UCFAthletics.com. Check out the site for daily journals of the team's activities, photo galleries as well as game previews and recaps. As always, live audio broadcasts of UCF's games will be carried online with Scott Adams on the call.
Also, for more information about the 2008 Paradise Jam, including streaming video of games and press conferences, game stats and recaps and the tournament's history, check out www.ParadiseJam.com.
Season tickets for the UCF women's basketball program are currently on sale through the UCF ticket sales office. For more information about the arena's premium seating options, including club seats, group discounts, courtside tables and suites, contact the UCF ticket sales office at (407) UCF-1000 or visit the women's basketball ticket page at UCFAthletics.cstv.com/tickets/w-baskbl-tickets.html.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.